2013 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

Wut? The 3.8 is the minivan engine.

 

The best engines Chrysler group ever had were/are the 4.0L I-6 and Cummings diesel and they didnt even make them...cheap vehicles with the cool factor thats all they are.

 

Damn, me, too! I struggle with this all the time. I love my Tacoma. But then I see a Wrangler and I end up going through a similar mental circus.

Good luck

 

If you do end up buying a JKU, you should check out MetalCloak. With their fenders you can fit 37" tires with NO LIFT. I just bought a pair, love them!

The aftermarket for Jeeps is so much better than what we have for Tacos.

 

Solution for me: Have both. Taco for reliability and DD stuff, Jeep for wheelin duties. Win Win.

 

yea, if it could survive a decade as a minivan engine, then it is properly proofed for jeep usage.

Howard

 

I rented a 2011 JKU Sport for a week around Yellowstone. Ride with the solid front axle bounces all over the place with the smallest ruts on pavement. The interior, while a huge improvement over previous years, is still behind the Taco. If I have a JK as a daily driver, I'd shoot myself. It was the best off-road vehicle for rental though.

I don't get the lever-shift transfer case. It was difficult to get into low-range. Maybe it was a new vehicle and the parts needed break-in? (Figured most renters wouldn't use it.)

 

Pictures of the 2013 doesn't look different from the 2011 model I drove, with the exception of the big-screen head unit and leather seats. The interior was redesigned in 2011.

 

The new interior debuted in 2011. Black leather is a new(er) option.

 

So they should just go ahead and love their car. No need to hate on others. Again, I was looking for Tacoma owners who either own both or made the switch one way or the other. I think it was the perfect place to ask the question.

Funny thing is, I wasn't really in the market for a new vehicle. My sister wanted to take a look at a newish Wrangler Sahara, so I got on Autotrader to see what was out there. Found some Saharas and a bunch of Rubicons on one lot. She wanted a JKU in the worst kind of way back in 2011, and hearing rumors of the new engine and transmission, I begged her to wait. She bought a new AWD Dodge Charger R/T instead....

JdevTac,

The Rubicon I'm looking at has 8,055 miles on it. I started looking 2 weeks ago. At that time they had seven (7) 2013 JKURs on the lot that just came off short-term leases. When I stopped at the dealership yesterday after a doc's appointment, there are 4 left, green, dark blue, dark red and yellow/orange(dozer), and the price of the remaining ones has gone UP to $35,000

Talked to the salesman for a bit, and he said he's still honor the deal we talked about, and I told him I still just wasn't sure I wanted to get rid of my Tacoma, when he comes back with "take it for a few days. Heck, take it for the weekend; just let me know by Monday what you think. If you decide you don't want it, bring it back with a full tank of gas. If you do want it, that's even better, and we'll figure out all the paperwork then." Gave me a sales contract for the numbers we talked about and a dealer plate and off I went.

I've never dealt with a better salesperson. If anyone wants to know where the other ones are, shoot me a PM.

I can't say that I missed my truck yesterday evening or overnight, but it was strange seeing a Wrangler in my driveway this morning when I hopped in my car to leave for work. I need a commuter car since my office is 30 miles each way, 5 days a week.

Nothing but rain yesterday and today, so no top-off experience yet, but I'm quite sure it's a done deal. This will be my next vehicle, barring any extraordinary circumstances.

Wrangler enthusiasts will likely hate the one I'm driving (nav., white-contrast stitched heated leather seats, steering wheel audio) but for me, it really is a perfect blend of rugged refinement. The Rubicon suspension is great compared to the base Tacoma (obviously.) Handles great on a flat smooth road, there's no body roll at all. Wash boarded spots are no different than any pickup with a light rear end. I'm not beating it before I buy it so don't conjure up any images of a green JKUR in rock gardens and such.

The engine has plenty of power but it's not going to win any drag races. The 5 speed auto is smooth and seamless. No comparison to my Tacoma's.....none. Highway running is worry free and while it does take a bit more attention, I cruised at 75-80 mph on a 10 mile section of freeway on the way home, and the only road noise is from the flat windshield, and the hum of the BFG Muds. (Not a fan of those btw, dealer already said he'd swith them out and give me credit toward my choice of tire. Need something with a little siping.) The hardtop is a little echoey/hollow. If it really bothers me longterm I'll eventually put some "carpet" on the panels.

And one word, Quadratec. Wow! I had visited the page before, but for JKs......wow......what an aftermarket.!

Oh, and FWIW, I'll still be a Toyota fan, but I'll probably be driving a Jeep.

 

Good for you man. You need to do what makes you happy. There are tons of helpful jeep forums out there.

Check out 4x4groupbuy.com (carries tons of jeep and toyota parts), Jason is a great guy who gave me some tremendous deals for my TJ.

I plan on buying a diesel wrangler a couple years after they come out, since toyota said no go to that idea.

 

Thanks. And I'll definitely check that out.

 

Even the part about the bison shit?

 

I love both and am a huge fan of the wrangler rubicon.. But when it comes down to it.. The Tacoma will be worth alot more than the jeep in 8-10 years..

 

ROFL! One of the off road parks around here is on a working bison farm. Can't get through without covering your rig in bison shit.

 

Ha ha ha!!!

 

As much as I dislike Chrysler products, there I was again at the Jeep dealer yesterday, looking at another Wrangler.

Sand color, black wheels, Dick Cepek MT's. Manual tranny, sticker price is $24K.

I'd never buy it, but I have to admit, I suffer from Jeep lust.

One thing that bugs me though, is the interior. It's like they tried to put a car interior in a truck. Even the FJ has a more suitable interior for a jeep. What happened to the old metal dash and rugged looks? Seems like they really are trying to market these things towards women.

 

I did and they were all very supportive